For All the Saints - Christ UMC Jackson MS

[davbear221]

Whats with the slide show? How distracting to worship. Church to poor to afford hymnals? Totally tacky!

[beboos1]

Let's us all get along together and ditch the negative comments, okay?

[dsfield]

@beboos1 How about setting an example, then? Stop posting the 'F' word to other peoples videos would be a good place to start.

[kensingtonpalace]

what's that woman doin wandering around the middle of the chancel? does she not know where to stand?

[gschong]

Marci had been asked to lead the singing (similar in role to a cantor) for the hymns that morning. The position she took was designated by the music minister. Some other protestant churches I have visited have their "worship/song leaders" standing at a lectern or in the pulpit. From your online name I am guessing that you are familiar with CofE worship forms. Having worship/song leaders positioned in the chancel is fairly common in many of the Protestant churches here in the states.

[kensingtonpalace]

i see, thanks for the clarification. Yea if we have a director they stand in the choir or in a pulpit.

[gschong]

Thank you for your 'visit', comments, and question. May God's grace and peace be with you always.

[phoenixtimes2]

As a former minister in the UMC, I can tell you that most of the people of there have no idea what they are singing about.

[gschong]

As a psychologist, I would not presume to so completely know what "most people" have or do not have in their minds (or "hearts") while they are singing.  I think it is safe to say, taking a minimalist position, that there was at least a level understanding of the hymn's words, among those I observed around me, sufficient to explain the general absence of puzzlement, confusion, or befuddlement in their facial expressions and other behaviors.

[kensingtonpalace]

that's a very ineresting point you make and you said it well, if the song meant nothing to them or was confusing they would surely respond with matching expressions.

[christopherga1980]

i wonder what was being sung over at Saint Andrews Cathedral..... how are the Episcopalians doing down there in Jackson we always say here if John and Charles knew what you did they would turn over in there graves just remember they died as ORDAINED members of the Anglican Church they never meant to leave it only bring some hand happen

[gschong]

Correct on the Wesleys. I grew up in the Episcopal Church (Hawai'i), so I'm familiar with that part of Anglican history. No way to really determine how they might have felt. Scripture forbids mind-reading w/ the dead. Other relatively modern devices and activities being used in worship services: sound systems, hearing aids, sign language, T.V. broadcasting equipment, air conditioning, electronic/digital musical instruments. What of those?

[bongdrop]

You tell em',..TEC all the way!!

[orgeldude]

Such an oxymoron here. Tacky Screens and a wonderful All Saints Hymn.

[SmartBC90]

gschong...You are ALMOST correct...SuCCession is what I meant...Ecumenical dialogue is a real gift...CIAO!

[SmartBC90]

The Roman Catholic Church, with historic secession to the Apostles, reverences this hymn in our prayer and worship...Amen...Alleluia!

[gschong]

Thanks for your comment. Having dear relatives who are also Roman Catholic, I join you in reverence for our Lord whose Name, as the hymn proclaims, is forever blessed! Also I believe you meant 'sucession'. Secession is what we southerners did prior to the Civil War (smile and wink!).

[MrAlanapple]

British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams wrote this hymn in 1906. It is originally Anglican/Episcopal.

[moproducer]

I thought that was the Baptists...

[im2fdup4this]

on the lst verse I believe ther is 6-8verses long song i would have built the organ up to full organ and played the trumpetsjust before the begining of the last stanza and in themiddle of the last stanza i would have used a16 ft pipe and at the end a32 or64 ft with full organ the rafters would have shaken and the peach fuze on your face would have felt it.

[davbear221]

Love the tacky t.v. screens!! TOO FUNNY!! Couldn't your church afford hymnals? So much for part singing in the congregation. Do you have a drive through window too! By they way the LOUD lady singing lead needs voice lessons and should try for american idol! We laughed all the way through this!!!!!

[gschong]

Dear davbear221. Obviously, diversity in worship styles provides some with a deeply moving and spiritual experience, and others with amusement. I would suggest that forms of worship matter little compared to what happens in peoples' hearts and how they help others in need. You are most welcome to visit us. Maybe you would find even more enjoyment in helping with one of our ongoing service missions for those who were victimized by hurricane Katrina. May God's peace and love be with you always.

[davbear221]

There is a difference between diversity and poorly thought out worship. The flowery definition of what happens in peoples hearts should be a well planted foundation in order to help or witness to others! I have a real problem with showy productions that people call worship. It will be out of "style" in another year or so. Then what?

[gschong]

Thank you for your most recent, and more thoughtful comment. If I visited another culture where, say, loud percussion and vigorous dancing were liturgical staples it would seem very "showy" or even abrasive to me. Yet, if the congregants are actively serving God and sacrificially loving those who are in need, does my aversion to their worship style really amount to more than an aesthetic peevishness?

[901cleo]

I am Episcopalian and this is a much beloved Episcopal hymn by Ralph Vaughn Williams (tune is Sine Nomine). It was written for the long stately processions we love in the Anglican tradition which is why there are so many verses. While it can be sung at funerals (Gerald Ford), it is always sung on All Saints Sunday. It was a little strange to see it sung without the usual fanfare and movement. Try it as a processional hymn. It was written specifically for that.

[gschong]

Thanks for the comment. I also grew up in the Episcopal Church (Hawai'i diocese) and remember this hymn being used as a processional, especially during All Saints Sunday. I can also appreciate its use for funerals. The Methodist church I attend does not normally have the ministers and choir process down the aisle.

[901cleo]

The United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA does it as a processional. Check it out on "youtube + All Saints' Hymn: for all the Saints" and this would be more low church to an Episcopalian but it is well done. It just does not have the same breath, beauty and is not as uplifting as when the choir and clergy come in singing and moving slowly down the aisle. It soars as a processional hymn done with pageantry and I think the woman singing is an unnecessary distraction.

[bhigdaddymark]

Well done! post more!!